Nationwide "Co-creation Regional PR Video Contest" Utilizing Generative AI for Video, Seeking Regional Co-creation Partners

For non-residents, become a "storyteller" of the town!

Metagri Laboratory (operated by Noujoujin Co., Ltd., Headquarters: Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, Representative Director: Yuichiro Kai), which promotes the use of new technologies in agriculture, is launching a call for "Regional Co-creation Partners" to jointly develop the "Co-creation Regional PR Video Contest" nationwide, targeting companies and organizations that have connections with local governments. In a regional PR video contest co-hosted with a local government, 31 entries were received from across the country, and the Grand Prix winner was selected to be adopted as the city's official PR video. This model will be offered as a "new proposal menu" for companies and organizations with connections to local governments, such as Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation), relocation, tourism, and city promotion. Partners can add the "Co-creation Regional PR Video Contest" to their existing business and jointly propose it to local governments as a new regional PR initiative. The application deadline is July 31, 2026 (Fri).

Application & Details

Background: Increasing Communication Channels, Limited Local Government Operational Capacity

While securing local stakeholders is a challenge, the creation of "related population" – individuals who engage with a specific region continuously and diversely in ways different from residents, migrants, or tourists – is gaining attention.

According to survey results released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in June 2025, an estimated 22.63 million people aged 18 and over, or 22.0% of the resident population, were considered part of the related population as of fiscal year 2023 (Note 1).

Meanwhile, as video and social media become more prevalent for information dissemination by local governments, the operational burden is concentrated in specific departments.

In the "FY2025 National City Promotion Actual Condition Survey," 83.5% of responding local governments produced PR videos, and 78.3% operated three or more official social media accounts. However, in 61.3% of cases, a single designated department was responsible for all social media posts (Note 2).

While the number of communication channels is increasing, continuing planning, production, and posting solely with limited internal government capacity presents a challenge. This laboratory aims to support local governments in creating new video materials through co-creation with creators nationwide.

*1 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, "Over 20% of Japan's 'Related Population' are 18 and Over! - Announcement of Survey Results on 'Survey on Connection with Regions'" (June 27, 2025)

*2 Council of Local Governments for City Promotion, "FY2025 National City Promotion Actual Condition Survey Results Report" (March 2026, published June 2, 2026)

What is the "Co-creation Regional PR Video Contest"?

This is a participatory regional promotion model where creators nationwide utilize generative AI for video, etc., to visualize the charm of a region by incorporating regional information and provided materials, in addition to traditional information dissemination by local governments.

The main features are as follows:

New communication materials are generated from an external perspective. Creators nationwide visualize the region's life, people, tourism resources, culture, and stories from their own viewpoints. By incorporating perspectives and expressions that are unlikely to emerge solely from within the local government, a diverse range of PR content that reaches people outside the region can be collected.

The contest is not just "create and finish." Based on the application terms and conditions, award-winning works will be designed for use on official local government social media, relocation/settlement consultation sessions, tourism events, and digital signage in public facilities. The contest is designed not just as a goal for collecting works, but as a regional PR initiative that includes subsequent information dissemination.

Aims to create ongoing connections with the region. Participants research the region's challenges, lifestyle, culture, and resources in the process of creating their works. The contest participation serves as the initial point of contact with the region, aiming to create opportunities for fostering a "related population" through work presentations, award ceremonies, and interactions with the region.

In a contest co-hosted with a local government in the spring of 2026, 31 works were submitted by 28 creators nationwide, and the Grand Prix winner was selected to be adopted as the city's official PR video.

View Details

About the "Regional Co-creation Partners" Being Recruited

We are currently recruiting companies and organizations that have proposal channels to local governments and are seeking new approaches to regional PR. Metagri Laboratory will be responsible for contest planning, creator recruitment, secretariat operations, and judging design, while the selection of award-winning works will be carried out in consultation with the local government and partners.

Main Target Applicants

Operators and support providers for Furusato Nozei and corporate Furusato Nozei

Operators supporting the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Program, relocation/settlement support, and related population creation

Destination Management/Marketing Organizations (DMOs), tourism and city promotion support companies

Regional trading companies, public-private partnership operators, and local government DX support providers

Recruitment Guidelines

Target Applicants

Companies and organizations with ongoing connections to local governments and operating in the above-mentioned target areas.

Partnership Models

Joint Proposals: Partners and Metagri Laboratory will organize the local government's challenges and jointly design and propose project plans and implementation details. Integration into Existing Services: Partners will add the Regional PR Video Contest to their existing services such as Furusato Nozei, relocation support, tourism, and city promotion. Utilization of Corporate Furusato Nozei: A model will be jointly established utilizing corporate Furusato Nozei, independent of local government budgets.

*Partnership models can be combined.

Fees

Individually negotiated based on the partnership model.

Recruitment Period

June 29, 2026 (Mon) - July 31, 2026 (Fri)

Application & Inquiries

Please enter your company/organization information, connections with local governments, existing business, and desired partnership model via the application form on the special page.

After receiving your application, we will conduct individual online interviews to discuss joint proposal methods to local governments and role allocation.

Apply

Future Outlook

Metagri Laboratory will not treat this initiative as a one-off event. We will continuously disseminate information at each stage, from partner selection and joint proposals to local governments, contest implementation, utilization of award-winning works, and the creation of implementation実績 (track records) in multiple local governments. By optimizing for the challenges of each region, we aim to expand the forms of regional PR co-created by local governments and creators nationwide and contribute to sustainable regional development.

Organizer: "Metagri Laboratory"

Metagri Laboratory

Metagri Laboratory is a community dedicated to achieving sustainable agriculture under the keyword "Agriculture x New Technology." It began its activities in March 2022 and as of June 2026, has over 1,300 participants. The term "Laboratory" signifies our commitment to undertaking new social experiments without fear of failure.

We welcome participation from those interested in initiatives combining agriculture with generative AI, Web3, and the metaverse.

Metagri Laboratory

Official Website: https://metagri-labo.com/ Event Seminars: https://metagrilabo.peatix.com/ Official SNS (X): https://x.com/metagrilabo/ Official SNS (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/metagrilabo/ Official LINE: https://page.line.me/918tbanl

Operating Company of "Metagri Laboratory"

Noujoujin Co., Ltd.

Representative: Yuichiro Kai

Services Provided (Partial): - Agricultural Marketing Support - Planning and Development of Agriculture x New Technology - AI Consulting - Book Publishing

URL: https://noujoujin.com/